The 37-year-old Larkham, who handles the Brumbies’ attack, hasn’t played Super Rugby since 2007. The left-field option came about from White’s desperation to find a competent pivot to lead their attack after he lost Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua to injury.

‘He runs all of our plays, he knows our plays – we would be crazy not to ask him, and it is a real option I could have Stephen Larkham running around for three games,’ White said. ‘I would never force him to play, but when two fly-halves go down you have to think outside the box.

‘If we think he can add value to us then we will pursue it … he’s 37 but there aren’t many guys out there and the ones who are, they aren’t much younger.’If he says to me he would play, then of course we will go with that.’

The Brumbies are on a bye this weekend and have reportedly given Larkham some time to consider the proposal. They are, however, also looking abroad, with Matt Giteau’s name mentioned in press reports in Australia.